Paper sheet handling machine

ABSTRACT

A paper sheet handling machine has a taking-in unit that takes in paper sheets one by one, a transport state detection unit that detects a transport state of each of the paper sheets taken in by the taking-in unit, a transport unit that transports the paper sheets taken in by the taking-in unit, a recognition unit that recognizes kinds of the paper sheets transported by the transport unit, first and second stacking units that have stackers to stack the paper sheets transported by the transport unit, respectively, and a control unit that judges abnormally transported paper sheets according to a detection result of the transport state detection unit, judges specific normal paper sheets, specific abnormal paper sheets or non-specific paper sheets according to a recognition result of the recognition unit, and controls the transport unit to transport the paper sheets judged as the specific abnormal paper sheets or the non-specific paper sheets to the first stacking unit and transport the paper sheets judged as the abnormally transported paper sheets or the specific normal paper sheets to the second stacking unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a paper sheet handling machine. Inparticular, the invention relates to a paper sheet handling machine thatcan sort specific paper sheets (for example, (US dollar banknotes) to bepreviously defined as process objects into normal paper sheets andabnormal paper sheets, and also sort paper sheets (for example, barcodedvouchers and JP banknotes) other than the specific paper sheets.

2. Related Art

In recent years, among stores that deal with paper sheets, such asbanknotes, the number of stores that equally handle the banknotes andthe paper sheets other than the banknotes has increased. For example, incasinos, coinless slot machines are disposed, and only the banknotes andbarcoded vouchers are used. In these stores, a sorting job of the papersheets where the banknotes and the barcoded vouchers are mixed needs tobe performed to total sales.

As a machine that sorts the paper sheets where the banknotes and thebarcoded vouchers are mixed, for example, a machine that is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 7,040,476 of which an applicant is a rightful person isknown. In this machine, a sensor that reads the barcoded vouchers and arecognition algorithm that recognizes barcodes, which perform a functionof sorting the barcoded vouchers, are added to a machine that has afunction of sorting US dollar banknotes corresponding to specific papersheets.

However, in the machine that is originally a machine having a functionof sorting specific paper sheets in normal paper sheets and abnormalpaper sheets, a function of sorting non-specific paper sheets is newlyadded. Accordingly, a recognition algorithm for each of the paper sheetsthat are newly defined and added as process objects needs to bedeveloped in order to realize the function of sorting the non-specificpaper sheets. In particular, when the paper sheets that are newly addedas the process objects are different for every store, a recognitionalgorithm needs to be individually developed in each store. As a result,when the function of sorting the non-specific paper sheets is newlyadded to the machine, a machine development cost increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to decrease a machinedevelopment cost, when a function of sorting non-specific paper sheetsis newly added to a machine that has a function of sorting specificpaper sheets in normal paper sheets and abnormal paper sheets.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apaper sheet handling machine, comprising:

a taking-in unit that takes in paper sheets one by one;

a transport state detection unit that detects a transport state of eachof the paper sheets taken in by the taking-in unit;

a transport unit that transports the paper sheets taken in by thetaking-in unit;

a recognition unit that recognizes kinds of the paper sheets transportedby the transport unit;

first and second stacking units that have stackers to stack the papersheets transported by the transport unit, respectively; and

a control unit that judges abnormally transported paper sheets accordingto a detection result of the transport state detection unit, judgesspecific normal paper sheets, specific abnormal paper sheets ornon-specific paper sheets according to a recognition result of therecognition unit, and controls the transport unit to transport the papersheets judged as the specific abnormal paper sheets or the non-specificpaper sheets to the first stacking unit and transport the paper sheetsjudged as the abnormally transported paper sheets or the specific normalpaper sheets to the second stacking unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apaper sheet handling machine, comprising:

a taking-in unit that takes in paper sheets one by one;

a transport state detection unit that detects a transport state of eachof the paper sheets taken in by the taking-in unit;

a transport unit that transports the paper sheets taken in by thetaking-in unit;

a recognition unit that recognizes kinds of the paper sheets transportedby the transport unit;

first to third stacking units that have stackers to stack the papersheets transported by the transport unit, respectively; and

a control unit that judges abnormally transported paper sheets accordingto a detection result of the transport state detection unit, judgesspecific normal paper sheets, specific abnormal paper sheets ornon-specific paper sheets according to a recognition result of therecognition unit, and controls the transport unit to transport the papersheets judged as the specific abnormal paper sheets or the non-specificpaper sheets to the first stacking unit, transport the paper sheetsjudged as the specific normal paper sheets to the second stacking unit,and transport the paper sheets judged as the abnormally transportedpaper sheets to the third stacking unit.

According to the invention, a sorting job of paper sheets wherebanknotes and the paper sheets other than the banknotes are mixed can beefficiently performed without causing an operator to perform a job forsorting the paper sheets other than the banknotes or adding a newsensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the configuration of a paper sheethandling machine according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the papersheet handling machine according to the first embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in the paper sheet stacking according to the first embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in the judgment according to the first embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in the transport control (first handling mode) according to thefirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in the transport control (second handling mode) according tothe first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in the transport control (second handling/batch mode) accordingto the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in a transport control (second handling/sort mode) according tothe first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a display example of a pattern screen thatis displayed on the display unit 109 according to the first embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the configuration of a paper sheethandling machine according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in a transport control (first handling mode) according to thesecond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in a transport control (second handling mode) according to thesecond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in a transport control (second handling/batch mode) accordingto the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in a transport control (second handling/sort mode) according tothe second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a display example of a pattern screenthat is displayed on the display unit 209 according to the secondembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described morespecifically with reference to the accompanying drawings. The followingembodiments are only exemplary and do not restrict a range of theinvention.

First Embodiment

First, the first embodiment of the invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the configuration of a paper sheethandling machine according to the first embodiment of the invention.

The paper sheet handling machine according to the first embodiment ofthe invention includes a taking-in unit 101, a transport state detectionunit 102, a transport unit 103, a recognition unit 104, a first stackingunit, a second stacking unit, a designation unit 108, and a display unit109.

The taking-in unit 101 takes in paper sheet one by one from a batch ofplaced paper sheets. The taking-in unit 101 operates according to acontrol unit 110 to be described below.

The transport state detection unit 102 is a sensor that detects atransport state of each of the paper sheets taken in by the taking-inunit 101. When the transport state detection unit 102 detects transportabnormality, the transport state detection unit 102 sends an abnormaltransport signal to the control unit 110 to be described below. Forexample, the transport state detection unit 102 sends the abnormaltransport signal to the control unit 110 in a state (skewed state) wherethe paper sheets are obliquely taken in by the taking-in unit 101, astate (chained state) where the paper sheets are not taken in at apredetermined interval, or a state (double-fed state) where the papersheets are taken in while overlapping.

The transport unit 103 is a transport mechanism that is used totransport the paper sheets taken in by the taking-in unit 101 to thefirst stacking unit or the second stacking unit. In FIG. 1, thetransport unit 103 becomes a mechanism that has a transport passageshape configured in a form of having a U shape in a horizontal directionand is formed of a mechanism including a diverter that includes pluraltransport belts, transport rollers, and diverter claws. The transportunit 103 operates according to the control unit 110.

The recognition unit 104 is a sensor that is used to recognize kinds ofthe paper sheets (denomination, authenticity, and fitness-unfitness ofbanknotes) transported by the transport unit 103. When the recognitionunit 104 recognizes the kind of the paper sheets, the recognition unit104 sends a recognition signal indicating a recognition result to thecontrol unit 110. The recognition unit 104 is provided at the back ofthe transport state detection unit 102, but may be provided at a frontstage of the transport state detection unit 102 or provided integrallywith the transport state detection unit 102.

The first stacking unit has a first stacker 105A and a second stacker105B in which the paper sheets transported by the transport unit 103 arestacked, a counter 106A that counts the paper sheets stacked in thefirst stacker 105A, and a counter 106B that counts the paper sheetsstacked in the second stacker 105B.

The first stacker 105A and the second stacker 105B have openings thatare opened in the same direction and display panels that display countresults of the counters 106A and 106B, respectively.

The counters 106A and 106B count the paper sheets stacked in the firststacker 105A and the second stacker 105B and send signals indicating thecount results to the display panels of the first and second stackers105A and 105B, and the control unit 110 to be described below.

The number of stackers of the first stacking unit may be a few and thenumber of counters 106 may be equal to the number of stackers of thefirst stacking unit.

The second stacking unit has a stacker 107 in which the paper sheetstransported by the transport unit 103 are stacked. The second stackingunit is provided at a position closer to the taking-in unit 101 than thefirst stacking unit. Preferably, the second stacking unit is provided atthe end of the U-shaped transport belt, under the taking-in unit 101.

The stacker 107 has openings that are opened in plural directionsincluding a direction facing the taking-in unit 101 and a movablestopper that prevents springing-out of the stacked paper sheets. Themaximum number of stacked sheets of the stacker 107 is smaller than themaximum number of stacked sheets of each of the first stacker 105A andthe second stacker 105B of the first stacking unit.

The designation unit 108 has plural instruction keys that are used toreceive instructions of an operator. When the operator presses theinstruction key, the designation unit 108 sends a signal indicating thepressed instruction key to the control unit 110 to be described below.

The display unit 109 includes two liquid crystal displays that displaypredetermined images. The display unit 109 appropriately displays imagedata, which is sent from the control unit 110 to be described below, onthe two liquid crystal displays.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the papersheet handling machine according to the first embodiment of theinvention.

The paper sheet handling machine according to the first embodiment ofthe invention includes a control unit 110 and a memory unit 111.

The control unit 110 is connected to the taking-in unit 101, thetransport state detection unit 102, the transport unit 103, therecognition unit 104, the counter 106, the designation unit 108, thedisplay unit 109, and the memory unit 111. The control unit 110 operatesaccording to a control program 111A to be descried below. The controlunit 110 sends/receives signals or data to/from the taking-in unit 101,the transport state detection unit 102, the transport unit 103, therecognition unit 104, the counter 106, the designation unit 108, and thedisplay unit 109. The control unit 110 reads/writes data from/in thememory unit 111.

The memory unit 111 is a memory that stores the control program 111A,pattern data 111B to 111E, and count data 111F.

The control program 111A is a program module that stores the operationof the control unit 110.

The pattern data 111B to 111E include program module that stores ahandling procedure of the control unit 110 for executing patterns 1 to 4to be described below, and image data that represents the patterns 1 to4.

The count data 111F is data that indicates count results of the counters106A and 106B.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in the paper sheet stacking according to the first embodimentof the invention. The paper sheet stack handling according to the firstembodiment of the invention is performed according to the controlprogram 111A.

First, the control unit 110 receives the signal that is sent from thedesignation unit 108 and indicates the pressed instruction key (S301).

Next, the control unit 110 reads any of the pattern data 111B to 111Efrom the memory unit 111 according to the signal that is received inS301 (S302).

Next, the control unit 110 controls the display unit 109 to display apattern image according to any image data of the pattern data 111B to111E that is read in S302 (S303).

Next, the control unit 110 controls the taking-in unit 101 to take inthe placed paper sheets one by one (S304).

Next, the control unit 110 performs the following judgment according toan abnormal transport signal sent form the transport state detectionunit 102 or a recognition signal sent from the recognition unit 104(S305).

Next, the control unit 110 activates any program module of the patterndata 111B to 111E that are read in S302 and performs transport controlto be described below (S306).

S304 to S306 are repeatedly performed until all of the paper sheetsplaced in the taking-in unit 101 are transported (NO in S307). If all ofthe paper sheets placed in the taking-in unit 101 are transported (YESin S307), the paper sheet stack handling according to the firstembodiment of the invention is completed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in the judgment according to the first embodiment of theinvention.

First, when an abnormal transport signal is sent from the transportstate detection unit 102 (YES in S401), the control unit 110 determinesan abnormally transported paper sheet as the judgment result (S402).

Meanwhile, when an abnormal transport signal is not sent form thetransport state detection unit 102 (NO in S401), the control unit 110receives the recognition signal sent from the recognition unit 104(S403).

Next, the control unit 110 performs fitness-unfitness judgment (S404)for judging whether the shape of the paper sheet has abnormality,denomination judgment (S405) for judging the denomination of a banknote,when the paper sheet is the banknote, and authentication (S406) forjudging whether the banknote is a genuine note, when the paper sheet isthe banknote, according to the recognition signal that is received inS403.

When the denomination is judged in S405 (YES in S407), and it is judgedthat the banknote is the genuine note in S406 (YES in S408), the controlunit 101 determines a specific normal paper sheet as a judgment result(S409).

When the denomination is judged in S405 (YES in S407), and it is judgedthat the banknote is not the genuine note in S406 (NO in S408), thecontrol unit 101 determines a specific abnormal paper sheet as ajudgment result (S410).

Meanwhile, when the denomination is not judged in S405 (NO in S407), thecontrol unit 101 determines a non-specific paper sheet as a judgmentresult (S411).

The control unit 110 jumps to S306 of FIG. 3, after performing any ofS402 and S409 to S411.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in the transport control (first handling mode) according to thefirst embodiment of the invention. The transport control process (firsthandling mode) according to the first embodiment of the invention isperformed according to the program module of the pattern data 111B.

First, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (NO in S501) and the paper sheet is judged as a specificnormal paper sheet (YES in S502 and YES in S503), the control unit 110controls the transport unit 103 to transport a paper sheet of adenomination A to the first stacker 105A of the first stacking unit (Ain S504 and S505), and controls the transport unit 103 to transport apaper sheet of a denomination B to the second stacker 105B of the firststacking unit (B in S504 and S506).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (YES in S501), the paper sheet is judged as a non-specificpaper sheet (NO in S502) or the paper sheet is judged as a specificabnormal paper sheet (YES in S502 and NO in S503), the control unit 110controls the transport unit 103 to transport the paper sheet judged asthe abnormally transported paper sheet, the non-specific paper sheet orthe specific abnormal paper sheet to the stacker 107 of the secondstacking unit (S507).

The control unit 110 jumps to S307 of FIG. 3, after performing any ofS505 to S507.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in the transport control (second handling mode) according tothe first embodiment of the invention. The transport control process(second handling mode) according to the first embodiment of theinvention is performed according to the program module of the patterndata 111C.

First, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (NO in S601) and the paper sheet is judged as a specificnormal paper sheet (YES in S602 and YES in S603) or the paper sheet isjudged as an abnormally transported paper sheet (YES in S601), thecontrol unit 110 controls the transport unit 103 to transport the papersheet judged as the specific normal paper sheet or the abnormallytransported paper sheet to the stacker 107 of the second stacking unit(S604).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormallytransported paper sheet (NO in S601) and the paper sheet is judged as anon-specific paper sheet (NO in S602) or the paper sheet is judged as aspecific abnormal paper sheet (YES in S602 and NO in S603), the controlunit 110 controls the transport unit 103 to transport the paper sheetjudged as the non-specific paper sheet or the specific abnormal papersheet to the first stacker 105A of the first stacking unit, until thenumber of stacked sheets of the first stacker 105A of the first stackingunit reaches the maximum number of stacked sheets (YES in S605 andS606). When the number of stacked sheets of the first stacker 105A ofthe first stacking unit reaches the maximum number of stacked sheets (NOin S605), the control unit 110 controls the transport unit 103 totransport the paper sheet judged as the non-specific paper sheet or thespecific abnormal paper sheet to the second stacker 105B of the firststacking unit (S607).

The control unit 110 jumps to S307 of FIG. 3, after performing any ofS604, S606, and S607.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in the transport control (second handling/batch mode) accordingto the first embodiment of the invention. The transport control (secondhandling/batch mode) according to the first embodiment of the inventionis performed according to the program module of the pattern data 111D.The pattern data 111D includes the predetermined number (N) of sheetsthat is previously designated by the designation unit 108.

First, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (NO in S701) and the paper sheet is judged as a specificnormal paper sheet (YES in S702 and YES in S703) or the paper sheet isjudged as an abnormally transported paper sheet (YES in S701), thecontrol unit 110 controls the transport unit 103 to transport the papersheet judged as the specific normal paper sheet or the abnormallytransported paper sheet to the stacker 107 of the second stacking unit(S704).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormallytransported paper sheet (NO in S701) and the paper sheet is judged asthe non-specific paper sheet (NO in S702) or the paper sheet is judgedas the specific abnormal paper sheet (YES in S702 and NO in S703), thecontrol unit 110 controls the transport unit 103 to transport the papersheet judged as the non-specific paper sheet or the specific abnormalpaper sheet to the first stacker 105A of the first stacking unit, untilthe number of stacked sheets of the first stacker 105A of the firststacking unit reaches the predetermined number (N) of sheets (YES inS705 and S706). When the number of stacked sheets of the first stacker105A of the first stacking unit reaches the predetermined number (N) ofsheets (NO in S705), the control unit 110 controls the transport unit103 to transport the paper sheet judged as the non-specific paper sheetor the specific abnormal paper sheet to the second stacker 105B of thefirst stacking unit (S707).

The control unit 110 jumps to S307 of FIG. 3, after performing any ofS704, S706, and S707.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in a transport control (second handling/sort mode) according tothe first embodiment of the invention. The transport control (secondhandling/sort mode) according to the first embodiment of the inventionis performed according to the program module of the pattern data 111E.

First, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (NO in S801) and the paper sheet is judged as the specificnormal paper sheet (YES in S802 and YES in S803) or the paper sheet isjudged as an abnormally transported paper sheet (YES in S801), thecontrol unit 110 controls the transport unit 103 to transport the papersheet judged as the specific normal paper sheet or the abnormallytransported paper sheet to the stacker 107 of the second stacking unit(S804).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormallytransported paper sheet (NO in S801) and the paper sheet is judged as anon-specific paper sheet (NO in S802), the control unit 110 controls thetransport unit 103 to transport the paper sheet judged as thenon-specific paper sheet to the first stacker 105A of the first stackingunit (S805).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormallytransported paper sheet (NO in S801) and the paper sheet is judged as aspecific abnormal paper sheet (YES in S802 and NO in S803), the controlunit 110 controls the transport unit 103 to transport the paper sheetjudged as the specific abnormal paper sheet to the second stacker 105Bof the first stacking unit (S806).

The control unit 110 jumps to S307 of FIG. 3, after performing any ofS804 to S806.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a display example of a pattern screenthat is displayed on the display unit 109 according to the firstembodiment of the invention.

The display unit 109 according to the first embodiment of the inventiondisplays a pattern image of the pattern 1 on the liquid crystal displaywhen the image data included in the pattern data 111B is sent in S303 ofFIG. 3. The pattern 1 is a pattern that performs the first handling modeto sort the specific normal paper sheets by denomination.

The display unit 109 according to the first embodiment of the inventiondisplays a pattern image of the pattern 2 on the liquid crystal displaywhen the image data included in the pattern data 111C is sent in S303 ofFIG. 3. The pattern 2 is a pattern that performs the second handlingmode to sort the non-specific paper sheet and the specific abnormalpaper sheet.

The display unit 109 according to the first embodiment of the inventiondisplays a pattern image of the pattern 3 on the liquid crystal displaywhen the image data included in the pattern data 111D is sent in S303 ofFIG. 3. The pattern 3 is a pattern that performs the secondhandling/batch mode to sort the non-specific paper sheet and thespecific abnormal paper sheet N by N.

The display unit 109 according to the first embodiment of the inventiondisplays a pattern image of the pattern 4 on the liquid crystal displaywhen the image data included in the pattern data 111E is sent in S303 ofFIG. 3. The pattern 4 is a pattern that performs the secondhandling/sort mode to sort each of the non-specific paper sheet and thespecific abnormal paper sheet.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, since only thenon-specific paper sheets or the specific abnormal paper sheets arestacked in the first stacking unit, a sorting job of the paper sheetswhere the specific paper sheets and the non-specific paper sheets aremixed can be efficiently performed, without causing the operator toperform a job for sorting the non-specific paper sheets or adding a newrecognition function.

In particular, according to the first embodiment of the invention, sincethe specific abnormal paper sheet is scarce, only the non-specific papersheets can be substantially stacked in the first stacking unit.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, a sorting job of thenon-specific paper sheets can be efficiently performed through thesecond handling/batch mode where the non-specific paper sheets and thespecific abnormal paper sheets are sorted for every predetermined numberof sheets or the second handling/sort mode where the non-specific papersheets and the specific abnormal paper sheets are sorted.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, since the papersheet handling machine receives the designation of the first handlingmode where the specific normal paper sheets are sorted, the secondhandling mode where the non-specific paper sheets are sorted, the secondhandling/batch mode, or the second handling/sort mode, the paper sheethandling machine can efficiently perform a sorting job of the papersheets according to an object.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, since the patternimage is displayed on the display unit 109, the operation to designatethe handling mode can be simplified.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. In thefirst embodiment of the invention, the non-specific paper sheets and thespecific abnormal paper sheets are stacked to be separated from thespecific normal paper sheets and the abnormally transported papersheets. However, in the second embodiment of the invention, thenon-specific paper sheets, the specific abnormal paper sheets, and thespecific normal paper sheets are stacked to be separated from theabnormally transported paper sheets. The same contents as those in thefirst embodiment of the invention are not described.

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the configuration of a paper sheethandling machine according to the second embodiment of the invention.

The paper sheet handling machine according to the second embodiment ofthe invention includes a taking-in unit 201, a transport state detectionunit 202, a transport unit 203, a recognition unit 204, a first stackingunit, a second stacking unit, a third stacking unit, a designation unit208, a display unit 209, and a control unit 110 and a memory unit 111that are not illustrated in the same way as the first embodiment of theinvention.

The taking-in unit 201 takes in paper sheets one by one from a batch ofplaced paper sheets. The taking-in unit 201 operates according to thecontrol unit 110.

The transport state detection unit 202 is a sensor that detects atransport state of each of the paper sheets taken in by the taking-inunit 201. When the transport state detection unit 202 detects transportabnormality, the transport state detection unit 202 sends an abnormaltransport signal to the control unit 110. For example, the transportstate detection unit 202 sends the abnormal transport signal to thecontrol unit 110 in a state (skewed state) where the paper sheets areobliquely taken in by the taking-in unit 201, a state (chained state)where the paper sheets are not taken in at a predetermined interval, ora state (double-fed state) where the paper sheets are taken in whileoverlapping.

The transport unit 203 is a transport mechanism that has U-shapedtransport belts and diverter rollers to transport the paper sheets takenin by the taking-in unit 201 to the first stacking unit, the secondstacking unit or the third stacking unit. The transport unit 203operates according to the control unit 110.

The recognition unit 204 is a sensor that is used to recognize kinds ofthe paper sheets (denomination, authenticity, and fitness-unfitness ofbanknotes) transported by the transport unit 203. When the recognitionunit 204 recognizes the kind of the paper sheets, the recognition unit204 sends a recognition signal indicating a recognition result to thecontrol unit 110. The recognition unit 204 is provided at the back ofthe transport state detection unit 202, but may be provided in front ofthe transport state detection unit 202 or provided integrally with thetransport state detection unit 202.

The first stacking unit has a first stacker 205A and a second stacker205B in which the paper sheets transported by the transport unit 203 arestacked, a counter 206A that counts the paper sheets stacked in thefirst stacker 205A, and a counter 206B that counts the paper sheetsstacked in the second stacker 205B.

The first stacker 205A and the second stacker 205B have openings thatare opened in the same direction and display panels that display countresults of the counters 206A and 206B, respectively.

The counters 206A and 206B count the paper sheets that are stacked inthe first stacker 205A and the second stacker 205B and send signalsindicating the count results to the control unit 110 and the displaypanels of the first and second stackers 205A and 205B, respectively.

The second stacking unit has a stacker 207 in which the paper sheetstransported by the transport unit 203 are stacked. The second stackingunit is provided at a position closer to the taking-in unit 201 than thefirst stacking unit and the third stacking unit. Preferably, the secondstacking unit is provided at the end of the U-shaped transport belt,under the taking-in unit 201.

The stacker 207 has openings that are opened in plural directionsincluding a direction facing the taking-in unit 201 and a movablestopper that prevents springing-out of the stacked paper sheets. Themaximum number of stacked sheets of the stacker 207 is smaller thanthose of the first stacker 205A and the second stacker 205B of the firststacking unit and a stacker 210 of the third stacking unit to bedescribed in detail below.

The designation unit 208 has plural instruction keys that are used toreceive instructions of an operator. When the operator presses theinstruction key, the designation unit 208 sends a signal indicating thepressed instruction key to the control unit 110.

The display unit 209 includes two liquid crystal displays that displaypredetermined images. The display unit 209 appropriately displays imagedata, which is sent from the control unit 110, on the two liquid crystaldisplays.

The third stacking unit has the stacker 210 in which the paper sheetstransported by the transport unit 203 are stacked and a counter 206Cthat counts the paper sheets stacked in the stacker 210.

The stacker 210 has openings that are opened in the same directions asthe first stacker 205A and the second stacker 205B and a display panelthat displays a count result of the counter 206C.

The counter 206C counts the paper sheets that are stacked in the stacker210, and sends a signal indicating a count result to the control unit110 and the display panel of the stacker 210.

The number of stackers of each of the first stacking unit and the thirdstacking unit may be a few and the number of counters 206 may be equalto the number of stackers of each of the first stacking unit and thethird stacking unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in a transport control (first handling mode) according to thesecond embodiment of the invention. The transport control (firsthandling mode) according to the second embodiment of the invention isperformed according to a program module of the pattern data 111B.

First, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (NO in S1101) and the paper sheet is judged as a specificnormal paper sheet (YES in S1102 and YES in 1103), the control unit 110controls the transport unit 203 to transport a paper sheet of adenomination A to the first stacker 205A of the first stacking unit (Ain S1104 and S1105), controls the transport unit 203 to transport apaper sheet of a denomination B to the second stacker 205B of the firststacking unit (B in S1104 and S1106), and controls the transport unit203 to transport a paper sheet of a denomination C to the stacker 210 ofthe third stacking unit (C in S1104 and S1107).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (YES in S1101), the paper sheet is judged as a non-specificpaper sheet (NO in S1102) or the paper sheet is judged as a specificabnormal paper sheet (NO in S1103), the control unit 110 controls thetransport unit 203 to transport the paper sheet judged as the abnormallytransported paper sheet, the non-specific paper sheet or the specificabnormal paper sheet to the stacker 207 of the second stacking unit(S1108).

The control unit 110 jumps to S307 of FIG. 3, after performing any ofS1105 to S1108.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in a transport control (second handling mode) according to thesecond embodiment of the invention. The transport control (secondhandling mode) according to the second embodiment of the invention isperformed according to a program module of the pattern data 111C.

First, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (NO in S1201) and the paper sheet is judged as a specificnormal paper sheet (YES in S1202 and YES in S1203), the control unit 110controls the transport unit 203 to transport the paper sheet judged asthe specific normal paper sheet to the stacker 210 of the third stackingunit (S1204).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormallytransported paper sheet (NO in S1201) and the paper sheet is judged as anon-specific paper sheet (NO in S1202) or the paper sheet is judged as aspecific abnormal paper sheet (YES in S1202 and NO in S1203), thecontrol unit 110 controls the transport unit 203 to transport the papersheet judged as the non-specific paper sheet or the specific abnormalpaper sheet to the first stacker 205A of the first stacking unit, untilthe number of stacked sheets of the first stacker 205A of the firststacking unit reaches the maximum number of stacked sheets (YES in S1205and S1206). When the number of stacked sheets of the first stacker 205Aof the first stacking unit reaches the maximum number of stacked sheets(NO in S1205), the control unit 110 controls the transport unit 203 totransport the paper sheet judged as the non-specific paper sheet or thespecific abnormal paper sheet to the second stacker 2056 of the firststacking unit (S1207).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (YES in S1201), the control unit 110 controls the transportunit 203 to transport the paper sheet judged as the abnormallytransported paper sheet to the stacker 207 of the second stacking unit(S1208).

The control unit 110 jumps to S307 of FIG. 3, after performing any ofS1204 and S1206 to S1208.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in a transport control (second handling/batch mode) accordingto the second embodiment of the invention. The transport control (secondhandling/batch mode) according to the second embodiment of the inventionis performed according to a program module of the pattern data 111C. Thepattern data 111D includes the predetermined number (N) of sheets thatis previously designated by the designation unit 208.

First, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (NO in S1301) and the paper sheet is judged as a specificnormal paper sheet (YES in S1302 and YES in S1303), the control unit 110controls the transport unit 203 to transport the paper sheet judged asthe specific normal paper sheet to the stacker 210 of the third stackingunit (S1304).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormallytransported paper sheet (NO in S1301) and the paper sheet is judged as anon-specific paper sheet (NO in S1302) or the paper sheet is judged as aspecific abnormal paper sheet (YES in S1302 and NO in S1303), thecontrol unit 110 controls the transport unit 203 to transport the papersheet judged as the non-specific paper sheet or the specific abnormalpaper sheet to the first stacker 205A of the first stacking unit, untilthe number of stacked sheets of the first stacker 205A of the firststacking unit reaches the predetermined number (N) of sheets (YES inS1305 and S1306). When the number of stacked sheets of the first stacker205A of the first stacking unit reaches the predetermined number (N) ofsheets (NO in S1305), the control unit 110 controls the transport unit203 to transport the paper sheet judged as the non-specific paper sheetor the specific abnormal paper sheet to the second stacker 205B of thefirst stacking unit (S1307).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (YES in S1301), the control unit 110 controls the transportunit 203 to transport the paper sheet judged as the abnormallytransported paper sheet to the stacker 207 of the second stacking unit(S1308).

The control unit 110 jumps to S307 of FIG. 3, after performing any ofS1304 and S1306 to S1308.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a handling procedure of the controlunit 110 in a transport control (second handling/sort mode) according tothe second embodiment of the invention. The transport control (secondhandling/sort mode) according to the second embodiment of the inventionis performed according to a program module of the pattern data 111E.

First, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (NO in S1401) and the paper sheet is judged as a specificnormal paper sheet (YES in S1402 and YES in S1403), the control unit 110controls the transport unit 203 to transport the paper sheet judged asthe specific normal paper sheet to the stacker 210 of the third stackingunit (S1404).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormallytransported paper sheet (NO in S1401) and the paper sheet is judged as anon-specific paper sheet (NO in S1402), the control unit 110 controlsthe transport unit 203 to transport the paper sheet judged as thenon-specific paper sheet to the first stacker 205A of the first stackingunit (S1405).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is not judged as an abnormallytransported paper sheet (NO in S1401) and the paper sheet is judged as aspecific abnormal paper sheet (YES in S1402 and NO in S1403), thecontrol unit 110 controls the transport unit 203 to transport the papersheet judged as the specific abnormal paper sheet to the second stacker205B of the first stacking unit (S1405).

Meanwhile, when the paper sheet is judged as an abnormally transportedpaper sheet (YES in S1401), the control unit 110 controls the transportunit 203 to transport the paper sheet judged as the abnormallytransported paper sheet to the stacker 207 of the second stacking unit(S1407).

The control unit 110 jumps to S307 of FIG. 3, after performing any ofS1404 to S1407.

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates a display example of a pattern screenthat is displayed on the display unit 209 according to the secondembodiment of the invention.

The display unit 209 according to the second embodiment of the inventiondisplays a pattern image of the pattern 1 on the liquid crystal displaywhen the image data included in the pattern data 111B is sent in S303 ofFIG. 3. The pattern 1 is a pattern that performs the first handling modeto sort the specific normal paper sheets by denomination.

The display unit 209 according to the second embodiment of the inventiondisplays a pattern image of the pattern 2 on the liquid crystal displaywhen the image data included in the pattern data 111C is sent in S303 ofFIG. 3. The pattern 2 is a pattern that performs the second handlingmode to sort the non-specific paper sheet, the specific abnormal papersheet, and the specific normal paper sheet.

The display unit 209 according to the second embodiment of the inventiondisplays a pattern image of the pattern 3 on the liquid crystal displaywhen the image data included in the pattern data 111D is sent in S303 ofFIG. 3. The pattern 3 is a pattern that performs the secondhandling/batch mode to sort the non-specific paper sheet and thespecific abnormal paper sheet N by N and sort the specific normal papersheet.

The display unit 209 according to the second embodiment of the inventiondisplays a pattern image of the pattern 4 on the liquid crystal displaywhen the image data included in the pattern data 111E is sent in S303 ofFIG. 3. The pattern 4 is a pattern that performs the secondhandling/sort mode to sort each of the non-specific paper sheet, thespecific abnormal paper sheet, and the specific normal paper sheet.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, in addition to thesame effect as the first embodiment of the invention, only thenon-specific paper sheets or the specific abnormal paper sheets arestacked in the first stacking unit, and the specific normal paper sheetsare stacked in the third stacking unit. Therefore, a sorting job of thepaper sheets where the specific paper sheets and the non-specific papersheets are mixed can be more efficiently performed than the firstembodiment of the invention, without causing the operator to perform ajob for sorting the non-specific paper sheets, the specific normal papersheets, and the specific abnormal paper sheets or adding a newrecognition function.

1. A paper sheet handling machine, comprising: a taking-in unit thattakes in paper sheets one by one; a transport state detection unit thatdetects a transport state of each of the paper sheets taken in by thetaking-in unit; a transport unit that transports the paper sheets takenin by the taking-in unit; a recognition unit that recognizes kinds ofthe paper sheets transported by the transport unit; first and secondstacking units that have stackers to stack the paper sheets transportedby the transport unit, respectively; and a control unit that judgesabnormally transported paper sheets according to a detection result ofthe transport state detection unit, judges specific normal paper sheets,specific abnormal paper sheets or non-specific paper sheets according toa recognition result of the recognition unit, and controls the transportunit to transport the paper sheets judged as the specific abnormal papersheets or the non-specific paper sheets to the first stacking unit andtransport the paper sheets judged as the abnormally transported papersheets or the specific normal paper sheets to the second stacking unit.2. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, wherein therecognition unit recognizes the denomination and authenticity ofbanknotes, and the control unit judges the paper sheets, which arerecognized as genuine notes of a predetermined denomination by therecognition unit, as the specific normal paper sheets, judges the papersheets, which are recognized as the paper sheets of a predetermineddenomination but are not recognized as the genuine notes, as thespecific abnormal paper sheets, and judges the paper sheets, which arenot recognized as the paper sheets of a predetermined denomination, asthe non-specific paper sheets.
 3. The paper sheet handling machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the first stacking unit has a plurality ofstackers that include counters to count the stacked paper sheets, andthe control unit controls the transport unit to transport the papersheets judged as the specific abnormal paper sheets or the non-specificpaper sheets to one of the plurality of stackers, and controls thetransport unit to transport the paper sheets judged as the specificabnormal paper sheets or the non-specific paper sheets to the other ofthe plurality of stackers, when the number of paper sheets counted bythe counter included in the one of the plurality of stackers reaches apredetermined number of sheets.
 4. The paper sheet handling machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the first stacking unit has a plurality ofstackers, and the control unit controls the transport unit to transportthe paper sheets judged as the specific abnormal paper sheets to one ofthe stackers and transport the paper sheets judged as the non-specificpaper sheets to the other of the stackers.
 5. The paper sheet handlingmachine according to claim 1, further comprising: a designation unitthat designates handling modes indicating sort patterns of the papersheets stacked in the first and second stacking unit, wherein thecontrol unit controls the transport unit to transport the paper sheetsjudged as the specific normal paper sheets to the first stacking unitand transport the paper sheets judged as the abnormally transportedpaper sheets, the specific abnormal paper sheets or the non-specificpaper sheets to the second stacking unit, when a first handling mode isdesignated by the designation unit, and controls the transport unit totransport the paper sheets judged as the specific abnormal paper sheetsor the non-specific paper sheets to the first stacking unit andtransport the paper sheets judged as the abnormally transported papersheets or the specific normal paper sheets to the second stacking unit,when a second handling mode is designated by the designation unit. 6.The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 5, furthercomprising: a memory unit that stores the sort patterns, wherein thedesignation unit designates the sort patterns that are stored in thememory unit, and the control unit controls the transport unit accordingto the sort patterns that are designated by the designation unit.
 7. Thepaper sheet handling machine according to claim 1, wherein the number ofpaper sheets, which the stacker of the second stacking unit is capableof stacking, is smaller than the number of paper sheets which thestacker of the first stacking unit is capable of stacking.
 8. A papersheet handling machine, comprising: a taking-in unit that takes in papersheets one by one; a transport state detection unit that detects atransport state of each of the paper sheets taken in by the taking-inunit; a transport unit that transports the paper sheets taken in by thetaking-in unit; a recognition unit that recognizes kinds of the papersheets transported by the transport unit; first to third stacking unitsthat have stackers to stack the paper sheets transported by thetransport unit, respectively; and a control unit that judges abnormallytransported paper sheets according to a detection result of thetransport state detection unit, judges specific normal paper sheets,specific abnormal paper sheets or non-specific paper sheets according toa recognition result of the recognition unit, and controls the transportunit to transport the paper sheets judged as the specific abnormal papersheets or the non-specific paper sheets to the first stacking unit,transport the paper sheets judged as the specific normal paper sheets tothe second stacking unit, and transport the paper sheets judged as theabnormally transported paper sheets to the third stacking unit.
 9. Thepaper sheet handling machine according to claim 8, wherein therecognition unit recognizes the denomination and authenticity ofbanknotes, and the control unit judges the paper sheets, which arerecognized as genuine notes of a predetermined denomination by therecognition unit, as the specific normal paper sheets, judges the papersheets, which are recognized as the paper sheets of a predetermineddenomination but are not recognized as the genuine notes, as thespecific abnormal paper sheets, and judges the paper sheets, which arenot recognized as the paper sheets of a predetermined denomination, asthe non-specific paper sheets.
 10. The paper sheet handling machineaccording to claim 8, wherein the first stacking unit has a plurality ofstackers that include counters to count the stacked paper sheets, andthe control unit controls the transport unit to transport the papersheets judged as the specific abnormal paper sheets or the non-specificpaper sheets to one of the plurality of stackers, and controls thetransport unit to transport the paper sheets judged as the specificabnormal paper sheets or the non-specific paper sheets to the other ofthe plurality of stackers, when the number of paper sheets counted bythe counter included in the one of the plurality of stackers reaches apredetermined number of sheets.
 11. The paper sheet handling machineaccording to claim 8, wherein the first stacking unit has a plurality ofstackers, and the control unit controls the transport unit to transportthe paper sheets judged as the specific abnormal paper sheets to one ofthe plurality of stackers and transport the paper sheets judged as thenon-specific paper sheets to the other of the plurality of stackers. 12.The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 8, furthercomprising: a designation unit that designates handling modes indicatingsort patterns of the paper sheets stacked in the first to third stackingunits, wherein the control unit controls the transport unit to transportthe paper sheets judged as the specific normal paper sheets to the firstor second stacking unit according to the kinds of the paper sheetsrecognized by the recognition unit and transport the paper sheets judgedas the abnormally transported paper sheets, the specific abnormal papersheets or the non-specific paper sheets to the third stacking unit, whena first handling mode is designated by the designation unit, andcontrols the transport unit to transport the paper sheets judged as thespecific abnormal paper sheets or the non-specific paper sheets to thefirst stacking unit, transport the paper sheets judged as the specificnormal paper sheets to the second stacking unit, and transport the papersheets judged as the abnormally transported paper sheets to the thirdstacking unit, when a second handling mode is designated by thedesignation unit.
 13. The paper sheet handling machine according toclaim 12, further comprising: a memory unit that stores the sortpatterns, wherein the designation unit designates the sort patterns thatare stored in the memory unit, and the control unit controls thetransport unit according to the sort patterns that are designated by thedesignation unit.
 14. The paper sheet handling machine according toclaim 8, wherein the number of paper sheets, which the stacker of thethird stacking unit is capable of stacking, is smaller than the numberof paper sheets which each stacker of the first and second stackingunits is capable of stacking.